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| McKendree University Confers Degrees on Class of 2015 Graduates

McKendree University Confers Degrees on Class of 2015 Graduates

(Note: All Class of 2015 graduates are listed by hometown below this release. Commencement
photos are posted to the online gallery.)

(LEBANON, Ill., May 9, 2015) - McKendree University Class of 2015 graduates received
their diplomas during the 175th commencement exercises on May 9 at the Lebanon, Ill., campus. Bachelor’s degrees
were awarded in the morning and master’s degrees in the afternoon.

New graduates of the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, School of Education,
and School of Nursing and Health Professions received a congratulatory handshake from
Dr. James Dennis, McKendree University president. “You now have the ability to make
what comes next be great—in your work, in your communities, in your families, in your
lives,” he told the group. “In the end, your final grade will be determined by you.
It is my hope that you will continue to strive to better yourselves, and that you
will do great work while seeing that there is always more to be done. May your final
grade always be ‘incomplete’.”

The Class of 2015 includes McKendree’s first three graduates to receive a Doctor of
Education (EdD) degree in Curriculum Design and Instruction. The university is conferring
over 700 degrees at all campuses in 2015—three doctorates, 13 education specialists,
153 master’s, 530 bachelor’s and 16 associate degrees—on graduates who completed their
degree requirements in December 2014, and in May and July 2015. One-hundred-fifty-five
graduated with honors: 24 summa cum laude, 73 magna cum laude and 58 cum laude. The
new graduates hail from 20 states and three countries.

Commencement exercises for the McKendree University campuses in Louisville and Radcliff,
Ky., will be held on June 6 at First Christian Church in Elizabethtown, Ky.

The 2015 William Norman Grandy Faculty Award for outstanding commitment to the university
and its students was given by the Alumni Association to Dr. Ann Collins, associate
professor of political science.

“Students cannot help but be inspired by her positive spirit and intense love of teaching
and learning,” said Maria Page, Alumni Association president, in her introduction.
“In the classroom, Dr. Collins displays a particular talent for facilitating student
discussion about complex cultural and political issues without alienating those on
one side or the other. She is widely regarded as passionate, thoughtful, and fair.”

Dr. Patrick Folk, who has retired after a 37-year teaching career as professor of
history, was awarded Faculty Emeritus status for his outstanding service, dedication
and leadership.

A Doctor of Humane Letters honorary degree was conferred on Daniel Dobbins, outgoing
Board of Trustees chairman, for 28 years of service, insight, leadership, philanthropic
support and commitment to his alma mater. The 1981 graduate has served as board chair
for eight years.

Bishop Jonathan Keaton, episcopal leader of the Illinois Area of the United Methodist
Church, gave the invocation at the undergraduate ceremony.